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Up to 50 fires a week are being started in prisons with 2,600 incidents last year

Two of Britain’s privately-run jails had the worst record, with almost 200 fires between them

UP to 50 fires a week are being started in prisons, new government figures reveal.

There were 2,600 incidents last year, double the number of fires two years previously.

 Inmates evacuate their accommodation blocks after a fire breaks out in HMP Ford in West Sussex
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Inmates evacuate their accommodation blocks after a fire breaks out in HMP Ford in West SussexCredit: PA:Press Association

Two of Britain’s privately-run jails had the worst record, with almost 200 fires between them.

Thamesmead Prison in London, run by Serco, had 101 fires last year - more than any other jail in England and Wales.

And HMP Birmingham, scene of major riots which caused £2 million worth of damage last December, had 82 fires or one every four days.

 Thamesmead Prison in London had 101 fires last year - more than any other jail in England and Wales
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Thamesmead Prison in London had 101 fires last year - more than any other jail in England and WalesCredit: Justice.gov
 And HMP Birmingham had 82 fires or one every four days
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And HMP Birmingham had 82 fires or one every four daysCredit: Getty Images
 It was the scene of major riots which caused £2 million worth of damage last December
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It was the scene of major riots which caused £2 million worth of damage last DecemberCredit: PA:Press Association
 A video posted online appeared to show fires are ablaze inside the Birmingham jail
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A video posted online appeared to show fires are ablaze inside the Birmingham jail

Nottingham prison recorded 78 fires, followed by Doncaster jail which had 75 incidents and Swaleside which had 73.

The number of prison fires between 2005 and 2013 remained steady at between 900 and 1,100 each year.

But in 2014 this increased to 1,236 and in 2015 there were 1,935 blazes.

The Ministry of Justice said that some of the forces were caused by accidents as well as inmates.

The figures come from a Commons question by Lib Dem leader Tim Farron, who said: “The number of fires in our prisons is extremely concerning, raising questions of safety for both inmates and prison staff.

 The Ministry of Justice said that some of the forces were caused by accidents as well as inmates
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The Ministry of Justice said that some of the forces were caused by accidents as well as inmatesCredit: Alamy
 Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said it raises questions 'of safety for both inmates and prison staff'
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Lib Dem leader Tim Farron said it raises questions 'of safety for both inmates and prison staff'Credit: PA:Press Association

Prison staff have faced years of cuts.

“The government must now make sure that there are enough staff to maintain control of our prisons and ensure that the safety of both staff and inmates is not put at risk. The fact that the number of incidents is on the rise shows the need for urgent action.”

Prisons Minister Sam Gyimah said: “We will never compromise on the safety of those in our care, and staff are trained to respond to emergency situations in a timely, appropriate manner.”